Oscar de la Renta has long been heralded as the uniform of many an Upper East Side lady who lunches and their Ivy League-bound daughters, but I think there's a part of de la Renta's clothes that appeals to anyone, whether you live in Park Avenue Penthouse, Malibu bungalow, or Wyoming ranch.

For fall Mr. de la Renta went for all-out glamour, using jewel tones and soft pastels as the basis for his collection. Jewels were certainly the theme of the night, for everything from headbands to silky fabrics was adorned with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and more. While keeping with his New York High Society vibe, he also introduced many looks that the younger set will surely jump for.

Of course, what I loved most was the absolute Blair Waldorf-ness to it all. Those silk turban-style headbands and jeweled beauties got me wishing that Blair would go back to the old headband for once.



My absolute favorite dress of the night? This baby blue beauty with a poofy tulle petticoat that would be perfect for prom. If only I had roughly four thousand dollars to blow on a dress.

There is something distinctly native about the looks of Spring. The retro fifties styles do conjure images of one of America's golden decades. We had just won our second World War and had emerged as a world superpower, so I guess the people of the States were feeling pretty good about themselves. And how does one celebrate? Why, by donning pearls, curling hair, and hopping in a vibrant T-bird, of course! More than fifty years after the fact, the fifties still have plenty of lure. For spring, everyone from Prada to Juicy Couture is amping up the saturation, nipping the waist, and rouge-ing the lips. See for yourself, retro is back!

Prada Spring 2012 Ad Campaign

Karlie Kloss for Juicy Couture Spring 2012

Glamour UK March 2012

“American Pop”: Abbey Lee Kershaw photographed by Alasdair McLellan for Vogue UK March 2012

Karlie Kloss for Americans Manhasset S/S 2012 Lookbook

Lana Del Rey

Suzy Parker

Querelle Jensen by Craig Mcdean for W February 2012